Síclovía on the horizon

This is not breaking news, but I figured it needed a good mention here before diving into this weekend’s heavy-hitting events.

Not this weekend but next, a four-mile stretch of Broadway will be closed to traffic for Síclovía — an event intended to get people off the recliner and out and about.

Síclovía — our version of ciclovía — is scheduled for Oct. 2 along Broadway between Brackenridge Park and McCullough Avenue. The opening ceremony, 10 a.m. at Lion’s Field Park, 2809 Broadway, will include remarks by Mayor Julián Castro and “Memorial Day Miracle” author Sean Elliott. It runs 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. that Sunday.

Ciclovías are commonplace in Colombia, the country credited with their creation. The one here in a few weeks will be San Antonio’s first. Another one is scheduled for February.

During our Síclovía (my guess is that we changed the spelling to secure the domain name) all along Broadway, there will be four recreation stations offering various forms of aerobics. And since the street will be closed to traffic, pedestrians, bicyclists, skateboarders, rollerbladers with the helmets and elbow pads . . . I want that gear something fierce. People are encouraged to bring bouncing balls, flying discs, anything to play with. And pets, too.

The point is to get people moving.

“To help reduce the obesity rate in San Antonio, which is 67 percent (according to a survey conducted by SA Metro Health District, this year),” said Randy Escamilla, Síclovía spokesperson.

Organizers are expecting 20,000 people. Several bike groups and roller derby players are supposed to attend. Personally, I’m still trying to wrap my brain around Síclovía. I’ll have to see it to understand it. That said, I’m all for anything that gets people off their butts.